This Video of a Soldier Surprising His Daughter at a Fun Run Will Melt Your Heart

One of our favorite parts about putting on Fun Runs is creating memorable experiences for students, teachers, and parents. But some moments are so special you know families will remember them forever. This story is about one of those moments.

When Courtny Eskew, a first-grade teacher at Westmont Elementary School in Augusta, GA, found out her husband Joshua, a sergeant in the US Army, was coming home early after serving in South Korea for 12 months, she thought of an idea. She wanted to surprise her daughter Madyson, a Kindergartner, during their school’s Boosterthon Fun Run.

So Courtny approached the Boosterthon team about surprising Madyson at their Fun Run. They ran with the idea and worked hard to make the surprise not only special but unforgettable.

Before the Fun Run began, Madyson was chosen to hold the American flag during the national anthem. All of her teachers, classmates, and Westmont community lined the track, hands over heart. Just as it was finishing, her dad, in full uniform, walked up behind her and waited for her to turn around. Cue the hugs and tears.

https://vimeo.com/204204891

“I cannot begin to explain what that moment meant to me as a parent,” said Courtny. “It was amazing watching such a special moment play out for my daughter. It was so special to share that moment with my Westmont family.”

“I cannot begin to explain what that moment meant to me as a parent."

The moment wasn’t lost on Sergeant Eskew, either.

“Joshua loved the moment. He appreciated Madyson holding the American flag because her patriotism is a point of pride in our military family.”

And of course, it was a memorable experience for little Madyson too.

“Madyson loved it! She has talked about it for days now, and it’s a memory that will stick forever. She felt pride and love seeing her father and had a blast sharing the Fun Run with him (they ran a few laps together).”

“Overall, this moment was so spectacular due to his arrival after being separated, but the Boosterthon team really went above and beyond to make sure this moment stuck with our family forever.”

"The Boosterthon team really went above and beyond to make sure this moment stuck with our family forever.”

We’re honored and grateful to play a small role in extraordinary moments like these. It’s one of the reasons why we do what we do every day!